CHAPTER FOUR“I wonder if we are being missed in London,” Peregrine ventured.
“I imagine there is plenty of speculation about our absence,” the Marquis replied dryly, “especially in certain quarters.”
Peregrine knew that he was referring to Lady Isobel and he thought that she would not only be bewildered but curious to know why, when there were so many attractive gaieties in London, the Marquis had chosen to retire to the country.
Almost as if their conversation had evoked a response, the Marquis’s secretary Mr. Barnes came to the door to say,
“There is a letter from London for your Lordship and a groom has been told he is to wait for an answer.”
He held out a note as he spoke and the Marquis without taking it from him saw the flamboyant crest on the back of the envelope and said,
“Se
